Page 8 of Marrying a Billionaire

Lillian honestly didn’t know. After Joshua dumped her, she found a month-to-month lease in Brooklyn. No one knew she was here. And she had no family. Her parents left her in the foster system when she was six and she highly doubted that they suddenly wanted her back.

She shrugged as she made her way through the living room and over to the door where she pulled it open.

A gasp escaped her lips as she stared into the warm eyes and half-smile of Reed Williamson. He was leaning with one arm on the door frame. He had a sky-blue t-shirt on with acid-washed jeans. He looked both casual and expensive at the same time.

Heat raced to her cheeks when she realized that she hadn’t said anything. She swallowed. “What are you doing here?” she asked.

“Is this a bad time?” He straightened and peered past her into her apartment.

“I—uh—I’m packing.”

He stepped closer and shot her his intoxicating grin. “Perfect. That’s what I’m here for.” He hesitated as he glanced down the hallway. “Well, me and them.”

Lillian peered past him to see five men standing in the hallway. They each had on a shirt that saidHunky Movers.

“I wanted a shirt, but they said it was for employees only,” Reed said.

As his warm breath rushed across her cheek, Lillian realized that he was standing inches away from her. She pulled back to see him staring down at her. Warning bells sounded in her mind as she took a step back. “I’ve got this handled. Really. There’s not much here to even pack. I’m pretty close to being done.”

Reed shook his head. “Nonsense. I’m sure we can—”

A squeal sounded behind Lillian, and she winced. Tamara must have discovered who was standing in the hall.

“Are you serious? I mean, you go to the bathroom for one minute and so much changes.” Tamara’s voice grew louder until she was right next to Lillian.

Reed turned his attention over to Tamara. “Reed Williamson,” he said, extending his hand but then paused. “Don’t I know you from somewhere?”

Tamara grasped his hand and shook it vigorously up and down. “I’m one of the nurses for your grandfather. Tamara.”

Reed nodded. “Right.”

She giggled. “I just have to say, it’s mighty nice what you’re doing for Lil over here. She’s had a crappy last year and you offering her a job like you did. . .” Tamara’s voice cracked, and Lillian took that as a cue to push her from the room.

“I don’t think Mr. Williamson wants to hear my life story. Don’t you have that thing?” Lillian asked, staring at Tamara, hoping she would get a hint.

“Thing?” Lillian asked.

“Yeah, that work thing you were telling me about.”

Tamara stared at her harder before she began to slowly nod. “Right, the thing. I should go and do the work thing.” She turned her attention back to Reed. “It was nice to meet you,” she said as she stepped past him. “And you”—she lowered her breath as she pulled Lillian with her—“every detail. I expect an invitation to your housewarming party when you’re all moved in.”

Lillian nodded and then motioned toward the hallway. Thankfully, Reed had already let himself in so there was no way he and Tamara would have to interact when she left.

“I’ll be seeing you!” Tamara said as she waved toward Reed and stepped out of Lillian’s apartment.

Before Reed could respond, Lillian shut the door.

“Sorry about her,” Lillian said as she shot him a sheepish look.

“Well, I only just officially met her, but I kind of like her,” he said, smiling over at Lillian.

Lillian leaned against the now shut door. “Yeah, she’s great.” As her gaze made its way over to Reed, she suddenly realized how alone they were. It didn’t seem to bother him one bit. There was a hinted smile on his lips. Fearing she had something on her face, Lillian reached up and rubbed her nose. “What?” she finally asked, hating how unnerved he made her feel.

He shook his head as he leaned against the back of her couch just as he’d done in his office. “Nothing. I was just wondering if you were going to let the movers in.”

She stared at him. And then the memory of the group of men standing in her hallway raced back into her mind. She straightened and pulled open the door. Glancing down the hall, she waved for them to come in.

“So sorry,” she said as they piled into her apartment.

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